Double-Dealing
A/N: Hiyo! Just wanted to say that this is the third to last chapter and yes, this story does end on (un)lucky 13. Oh yeah, to Chas54: I've never heard of The Prisoner of Zenda but when I looked it up and read a summary of it, wowzers… it sounded quite familiar. Thanks for the heads up on that! I guess I get no points for originality, eh?
Disclaimer: SG-1 is not mine… blah blah blah… you know the rest!
Chapter Eleven: Lost In The Crowd
Jack, Sam, Teal'c, and Daniel stepped out from their carriage and gazed at the scene before them. From what Balibob told them, the wedding was going to take place in a large open field, where the bride and groom were to meet on a raised stone platform so that everyone could see them. They saw the stone platform and a strip of white carpet leading up to it. The bride, like in the normal Earth tradition, was to talk down the white carpet and join her future husband, who would be waiting for her on the stone platform. Balibob, acting as a sort of priest, was to perform the rites for the couple.
"Balibob didn't mention that," Jack said as he pointed at the large arch stretching over the entire field.
"It's beautiful," Sam breathed.
The arch was indeed awe-inspiring. Flowers of various shades of blue and gold were weaved around a frame made of ivory colored wood. A curtain of rich green, leaves hung down from the inside of the arch. The dew on the leaves sparkled in the sunlight, providing an enchanting backdrop to the scene.
"Nice place for a wedding," Daniel said as he straightened the black cape that Prince Narcassous insisted he wear.
"Yeah, kinda makes me want to renew my vows, right dear?" Jack said jokingly to Carter.
Before anyone could take a jab at Jack's comment, Balibob popped up, seemingly from out of nowhere and bombarded Jack with a huge hug.
Sam and Daniel took a step away from the two, lest Balibob aim for them next. Teal'c smiled at this and decided not to fear Balibob's affections.
"Oh sire, you should be so proud!" Balibob said, as Jack struggled to get out of his embrace.
"Bob! Get off of me!" Jack growled as the man's feathered collar became tangled with his fake beard.
Balibob let go and smiled broadly at them, "You must get to your dressing quarters! King Zaffaloft and Queen Stoweek are waiting for you there!"
"What about Lyra?" Daniel asked.
"She is in her separate dressing quarters! It is bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the ceremony!"
"That's new…" Jack said and then turned to Teal'c, "How's the security situation?"
"O'neill, I have set guards around the perimeter and around the dressing quarters. We will catch the assailants before they strike," he answered.
"Good. Let's just get through this in one piece," Jack said, specifically at Daniel.
"Ah! Queen Stoweek requested that we give this to Princess Lyra," Balibob said as he pulled out a long, white satin sash from his sleeve.
"I'll do it!" Daniel volunteered.
"No Daniel," Jack said sternly, "Besides, it's bad luck for you to see her."
"Jack, I'm not really the groom. Plus, Teal'c will come with me."
"Let him go," Sam said and quickly added, "sir."
Jack sagely tugged at his beard and finally gave in, "Fine, but have T with you at all times."
Daniel took the sash happily and headed to Lyra's quarters with Teal'c.
As they walked off, Jack looked at Sam, "Off we go."
They, in turn, followed Balibob to their quarters.
XXXX
It didn't take long for the empty field to become filled with people. For Daniel and Teal'c, this was a problem. With Daniel bounding off optimistically, they had forgotten to ask Balibob for directions to Lyra's quarters.
"Teal'c, didn't you set guards around there?" Daniel asked as he pushed through the crowd.
"I ordered it, Daniel Jackson. However, I regret that I did not go there myself to situate the guards," Teal'c answered as he helped Daniel get through the crowd.
"I'm surprised these people don't recognize me…" Daniel said.
They didn't have to worry about anyone recognizing Teal'c. His face was masked.
"Do you wish them to?"
"No, not really… but even the prisoners recognized the crown prince. I would think these people would recognize him."
"There are also King Zaffaloft and Queen Stoweek's people among them. That may be why they cannot identify you."
"Imagine if they did. We'd be in a lot of trouble," Daniel said with a chuckle.
Suddenly, a voice cried out from behind them, "Prince! Prince Narcassous!"
"Spoke too soon," Daniel said, wincing.
"Indeed," Teal'c affirmed.
They found themselves dashing through the crowd as a sea of people followed behind them. As Daniel ran, he saw a suspiciously hooded man. There was a scar on his cheek… a moon shaped scar.
"Altair," he gasped.
Teal'c turned and saw what Daniel saw, "That is him, but to be in the open like that may be a trap—"
Before he could finish, Daniel darted away, heading toward Altair.
"Daniel Jackson!" Teal'c called out.
As Teal'c tried to follow him, the sea of people closed in around him, blocking him from getting to Daniel. Teal'c called out again, but could not find Daniel or Altair in the crowd of people.
He managed to break away from the large group of people and find a little open clearing. He stood there and scanned the crowd ahead of him. Instead of seeing Daniel or Altair, he spotted another familiar face on the very edge of the throng of people. It was the blue eyes that caught his attention. The face turned to Teal'c and smirked at him as he donned on his hood and entered the crowd.
"O'neill, Daniel has gone after Altair. I am chasing Tray," Teal'c radioed.
He sighed as he too reentered the crowd, keeping his eyes on Tray.
XXXX
Sam, Jack, and Balibob approached the dressing quarters. It resembled a small cottage that was located on the outskirts of the wedding field. There were four guards at each end of the cottage. As Jack came closer, the guards saluted him and Jack nodded.
Teal'c had contacted them about spotting Altair and Tray. Jack told him to go for it and followed Sam and Balibob into the quaint cabin.
"Greetings King Ful'ardi, Queen Kuki," King Zaffaloft said stiffly.
He stood in the corner, with a nervous look in his eyes. Queen Stoweek sat by the table as she fidgeted with her rings.
"What's going on?" Jack asked as he reached for his gun under his robes.
"Please, don't move," King Zaffaloft said.
"Don't hurt me!" Balibob squeaked as Jack and Sam turned around to find that one of the guards from outside was now holding a knife to Balibob's throat. "I want to live!"
"Forgive me," King Zaffaloft said.
"Be quiet you," said another guard, who moved out of the shadow of the corner. He had a spear pointed at Zaffaloft.
"Sit down!" he ordered.
King Zaffaloft took a place beside his wife. The other three guards entered the quarters and shoved Sam and Jack to the table to join the other royal couple. Balibob was still being threatened with the knife.
"Would you stop it? He's scared out of his wits already," Jack said to the guard.
"Yes, yes, he speaks truth!" Balibob squeaked again.
The guard growled at him, causing him to squeak again.
"Silence, royal dog!" the guard with the spear shouted.
"So, what's the plan boys?" Jack said casually, not wanting to show fear to their captors.
"We kill you when we get the signal from our leader," the lead guard said.
"How cliché…" Jack muttered.
"Kill the dog!" the lead guard ordered.
Balibob wailed dramatically as the knife touched his skin.
"Stop!" Carter shouted.
Balibob fell limply to the ground. The guard with the knife stepped away from him in surprise. There was no blood on his knife.
"Bob! For crying out loud, you're merchants! You're not supposed to be killing!" Jack said angrily.
Sam ran over to Balibob and examined him.
"Sir, he… fainted."
Jack rubbed his temples, "Remind me not to kill him when he wakes up."
The lead guard pointed his spear at Jack, "What did you say about us killing?"
"You guys should just forgive and forget! Ever heard of that?" Jack said.
The guard grinned viciously, "Yes, you will know the true Underground Merchants…"